Netanyahu Disbands Israeli War Cabinet
The Facts
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly told the country's security cabinet on Sunday that the war cabinet has officially been disbanded. The Prime Minister's Office said that, since war cabinet member Benny Gantz and observer Gadi Eisenkot withdrew, the war cabinet is no longer relevant.
The move comes after Netanyahu's right-wing allies, primarily National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, reportedly sought a seat in the war cabinet following Gantz's departure. Reports suggest that Netanyahu will make key decisions with his advisers, excluding Ben-Gvir, before presenting them to the security cabinet.
The Spin
A guaranteed end to the war will ensure increased humanitarian aid to the besieged enclave, preserve Israel's security, and create a better "day after" in Gaza without Hamas in power. It will also de-escalate the situation on the Lebanese border. It is unfortunate that Hamas did not respond with a resounding "yes" to this thoughtful proposal, but the US will continue to work toward closing the gaps.
Netanyahu is clearly making sure that his more audacious allies do not play a serious role in the decision-making regarding this existential war with terror. Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich are quickly becoming liabilities as their public statements are drawing international condemnation. Notably, neither of the ministers have any control over the war, and it must stay that way.
It should be clear after almost eight months of grinding brutality that Israel's true goal is to destroy Gaza and starve its people. Israel is simply not interested in committing to a permanent cease-fire, regardless of who is in power. This war must end, and Israel must finally be held accountable for its crimes.
Hezbollah and the regional resistance will only end their attacks when Israel's war in Gaza ends and it withdraws its forces. Indeed, the resistance's primary goal is to end the war in Gaza, not start a far larger regional war. Foreign powers believe they can dictate to Hezbollah how it deals with Israel's aggression and impose concessions regarding the status of Lebanon's southern border. However, Hezbollah has many tricks up its sleeve, and it is prepared to defend Lebanon from Israel's genocidal aggressi
